Rockwell Automation has announced a compact industrial controller for high-speed applications with up to 20 axes of motion which, it claims, has up to 20% more application capacity than its previous CompactLogix controllers. The new Allen-Bradley CompactLogix 5380 controller offers the benefits of Rockwell’s high-performance Integrated Architecture portfolio in a small format.

“This new controller is particularly helpful for high-speed packaging applications where fast response times are critical for keeping production running smoothly,” says product manager, Dexter Leong. “Features like scheduled outputs and event triggers, which are new to the CompactLogix family, allow engineers to design compact machines that achieve higher accuracy and precision.”

A dual-configurable, 1-gigabit Ethernet port supports device-level-ring (DLR) topologies or the use of multiple IP addresses – a useful facility for manufacturers wanting to separate plant-floor from enterprise-level network traffic.

Diagnostic lights indicate communications status, module health and I/O activity. This allows users to understand problems without needing to connect the controller to a computer. In addition, built-in system and field power terminals reduce wiring to I/O modules.

Rockwell's compact controller is said to improve the accuracy and performance of high-speed motion applications

The new controller supports enhanced security as part of a defence-in-depth approach. It incorporates advanced security technologies and software features, including digitally signed and encrypted firmware, controller-based change detection, and audit logging. It also provides role-based access control to routines and add-on instructions.

As with other Logix controllers, Rockwell Software’s Studio 5000 design software is used to configure the new controller. Data can be defined once, and then be accessed and re-used across the Studio 5000 environment to speed system development and commissioning.